“The Ministry of National Defence must act effectively.” This is how the Head of Poland’s National Security Bureau (BBN), Bartosz Grodecki, commented in an interview with PAP on plans to establish a permanent U.S. military base in Poland.
“The Ministry of National Defence Must Act Effectively”
Asked when a permanent U.S. military base could be established in Poland, Grodecki said that, for now, the American declaration opens the door to negotiations.
“The Ministry of National Defence must act effectively within the framework of the announced negotiating team, which will begin planning work. Among other things, we must decide where the base will be located, determine what forces it should accommodate, secure funding, and prepare a project timeline,” he said.
He also noted that the project requires dedicated legislation to enable the implementation of the investment’s subsequent stages.
“What is important is that the Americans are open to discussions. We must seize this opportunity and turn it into proactive action that can be completed as quickly as possible. Only after the negotiations are concluded will we be able to indicate specific timelines. The agreement will serve as the basis – the foundation – for carrying out this major and costly undertaking,” Grodecki stressed.
Asked about the composition of the negotiating team, he said it would include representatives of the government and added that a representative of President Karol Nawrocki should also be part of it.
The Head of the National Security Bureau was also asked about the rotation of U.S. troops currently stationed in Poland. He said that the total number of American troops is currently around 7,000 and, following the announcement of an additional deployment of 5,000 personnel, that number will rise to approximately 12,000.
“At this stage, we do not yet know the final details regarding the arrival date or what type of military component we can expect. Everything is currently in the hands of planners and decision-makers. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is expected to make decisions soon regarding the future structure of U.S. forces in Europe, based in part on proposals submitted by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), General Alexus Grynkewich,” he added.